naltrindole and 7-benzylidenenaltrexone

The 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) derivatives 2a-v, 3a-c, 13a-c, and 14a were synthesized from naltrexone (1) and evaluated for their antitrichomonal activity. The structure-activity-relationship studies found that 4-iodo-BNTX (2g) showed the highest activity (IC

Topics: Animals; Antitrichomonal Agents; Benzylidene Compounds; CHO Cells; Cricetulus; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Molecular Structure; Naltrexone; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Structure-Activity Relationship; Trichomonas vaginalis

We evaluated antitrichomonal effects of δ opioid receptor (DOR) agonists and antagonists. Although all the agonists were inactive, the DOR antagonists BNTX (2a) and its derivatives 2b-d showed antitrichomonal activity with MIC of 20-40 μM. In addition, the development of a more effective synthetic method for the BNTX derivatives was achieved by using the Knoevenagel condensation.

Topics: Antitrichomonal Agents; Benzylidene Compounds; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Molecular Structure; Naltrexone; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Structure-Activity Relationship; Trichomonas Vaginitis

Opioids are well known for their robust analgesic effects. Chronic activation of mu opioid receptors (MOPs) is, however, accompanied by various unwanted effects such as analgesic tolerance. Among other mechanisms, interactions between MOPs and delta opioid receptors (DOPs) are thought to play an important role in morphine-induced behavioral adaptations. Interestingly, certain conditions such as inflammation enhance the function of the DOP through a MOP-dependent mechanism. Here, we investigated the role of DOPs during the development of morphine tolerance in an animal model of chronic inflammatory pain. Using behavioral approaches, we first established that repeated systemic morphine treatment induced morphine analgesic tolerance in rats coping with chronic inflammatory pain. We then observed that blockade of DOPs with subcutaneous naltrindole (NTI), a selective DOP antagonist, significantly attenuated the development of morphine tolerance in a dose-dependent manner. We confirmed that this effect was DOP mediated by showing that an acute injection of NTI had no effect on morphine-induced analgesia in naive animals. Previous pharmacological characterizations revealed the existence of DOP subtype 1 and DOP subtype 2. As opposed to NTI, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone and naltriben were reported to be selective DOP subtype 1 and DOP subtype 2 antagonists, respectively. Interestingly, naltriben but not 7-benzylidenenaltrexone was able to attenuate the development of morphine analgesic tolerance in inflamed rats. Altogether, our results suggest that targeting of DOP subtype 2 with antagonists provides a valuable strategy to attenuate the analgesic tolerance that develops after repeated morphine administration in the setting of chronic inflammatory pain.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Chronic Pain; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Tolerance; Freund's Adjuvant; Hindlimb; Inflammation; Male; Morphine; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, delta

We evaluated antimalarial and/or chloroquine-resistance reversing effects of five opioid receptor antagonists. Although none of the evaluated compounds showed antimalarial effects, some of them, especially the δ(1) receptor antagonist, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) exhibited potent chloroquine-resistance reversing effects in Plasmodium chabaudi.

Topics: Antimalarials; Benzylidene Compounds; Chloroquine; Drug Resistance; Molecular Structure; Naltrexone; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; Plasmodium chabaudi; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Stereoisomerism; Structure-Activity Relationship

Functional interactions between mu- and delta-opioid receptors (MOPr and DOPr, respectively) are implicated in morphine tolerance and dependence. The contribution of DOPr to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine and the enhanced conditioned response that occurs after repeated morphine administration is unknown. This issue was addressed with the conditioned place preference procedure (CPP).. Rats received home cage injections of saline or morphine (5.0 mg/kg/day x 5 days) before conditioning. For sensitization studies, DOPr antagonists (DOPr1/2: naltrindole, DOPr2: naltriben, DOPr1: 7-benzylidenenaltrexone) were administered before morphine injections. Conditioning sessions (2 morphine; 2 saline) commenced 3 days later. To assess the influence of acute DOPr blockade on the conditioning of morphine reward in naïve animals, 3 morphine and 3 saline conditioning sessions were employed. Antagonists were administered before morphine conditioning sessions.. Morphine was ineffective as a conditioning stimulus after two conditioning sessions in naïve rats. However, doses > or = 3.0 mg/kg produced significant CPP in morphine pre-exposed rats, confirming that sensitization develops to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine. In animals that received morphine pre-exposure with naltrindole or naltriben but not 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, sensitization was prevented. No attenuation of morphine CPP was observed in animals that received DOPr antagonists acutely, before conditioning sessions.. These data indicate a critical role of DOPr systems in mediating sensitization to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine. The efficacy of naltrindole and naltriben in preventing the enhanced response to morphine suggest the specific involvement of DOPr2 in the sensitization process.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Association Learning; Behavior, Animal; Benzylidene Compounds; Conditioning, Classical; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Morphine Dependence; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptor Cross-Talk; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Reinforcement, Psychology; Statistics, Nonparametric

We investigated the involvement of specific types of opioid receptors in methionine-enkephalin (MET)-induced modulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) release by rat macrophages primed with sub-optimal concentrations of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Peritoneal macrophages in vitro treated with different concentrations of MET were tested for H2O2 release in phenol red assay. In the antagonistic study macrophages were treated with MET and one opioid receptor antagonist, or combination of MET and two or three opioid receptor antagonists. MET decreased H2O2 release in eight individual macrophage samples, and increased it in 10 samples. The increase of H2O2 release induced by MET in macrophages was blocked with combination of opioid receptor antagonists specific delta1,2 and mu receptors, as well as with combination of antagonists specific for delta1,2 and kappa opioid receptors. MET-induced decrease of the H2O2 release in macrophages was prevented by opioid receptor antagonists specific for delta1,2 or mu receptors, and also with combination of two or three opioid receptor antagonists. MET-induced enhancement of H2O2 release was mediated via delta1 or delta2 opioid receptor subtypes, or by mu-kappa opioid receptor functional interactions, while MET-induced suppression involved functional interactions between delta1 and mu, delta2 and mu, or delta1 and kappa opioid receptors. It is possible that individual differences in basal or induced macrophage capacity to produce H2O2 might shape the repertoire of opioid receptors expression and in that way pre-determine the direction of MET-induced changes after the in vitro treatment.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Carcinogens; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enkephalin, Methionine; Hydrogen Peroxide; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The existence of heterodimeric opioid receptors has introduced greater complexity to the in vivo characterization of pharmacological selectivity of agonists by antagonists. Because of the possibility of cooperativity between receptors organized as heterodimers, it is conceivable that selective antagonists may antagonize an agonist bound to a neighboring, allosterically coupled receptor. As a consequence, the in vivo selectivity of an opioid antagonist may depend on the organizational state of receptors that mediate analgesia. In this regard, phenotypic delta- and kappa-opioid receptors have been proposed to arise from different organizational states that include oligomeric delta-kappa heterodimers and homomeric delta and kappa receptors. In view of the evidence for analgesia mediated by delta-kappa heterodimers in the spinal cord, but not the brain, we have investigated the selectivity of pharmacologically selective delta and kappa antagonists in mice by both i.t. and i.c.v. routes of administration to evaluate changes in selectivity. Using pharmacologically selective delta (benzylidenenaltrexone, naltrindole, and naltriben) and kappa (norbinaltorphimine) antagonists versus delta ([D-Pen(2),D-Pen(5)]-enkephalin and deltorphin II) and kappa [3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[(1R,2R)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide (U50488) and bremazocine] agonists, the delta-1/delta-2 selectivity ratios were found to be dependent on the route of administration (i.t. versus i.c.v.). The data from different routes of administration suggest that differences in molecular recognition between spinal delta-kappa heterodimers and supraspinal homomeric delta and kappa receptors may contribute to the divergent selectivity ratios of selective antagonists. In view of the observed tissue-dependent selectivity, we suggest that multiple opioid antagonists be employed routinely in establishing agonist selectivity in vivo.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Injections, Intraventricular; Injections, Spinal; Ligands; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, kappa

Recent studies have shown that endogenous opioid systems are associated with the regulation of emotional responses. In particular, it has been reported that delta-opioid receptors act naturally to inhibit stress and anxiety.. The present study was designed to examine the possible involvement of opioid delta-receptor subtypes in the anxiety-related behavior in the elevated-plus-maze test.. Six-week-old male Lewis rats were used. The total numbers of visits to the closed and open arms and the cumulative time spent and visits in the open arms were determined. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay.. Naltrindole (NTI), a delta-opioid receptor antagonist (3 mg/kg s.c.), induced a significant decrease in the percentages of time spent and visits in the open arms. Naltriben (NTB), a delta2-opioid receptor antagonist (3 mg/kg s.c.), but not 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, a delta1-opioid receptor antagonist, produced similar anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze. These effects of NTI and NTB were antagonized by pretreatment with (+)-4-[(aR)-a-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80), a delta-opioid receptor agonist. Furthermore, after exposure to the elevated plus-maze, the maximal increase in the plasma corticosterone level in NTI-treated rats was clearly higher than that in vehicle-treated rats. However, when NTI and SNC80 were coadministered, higher levels of plasma corticosterone were not seen after exposure to the elevated plus-maze.. These results suggest that endogenous delta2-opioid-receptor-mediated systems are involved in the regulation of anxiety-related behaviors and might play a physiologically important role in the regulation of adrenocortical activity.

Topics: Animals; Anxiety; Benzamides; Benzylidene Compounds; Blood Specimen Collection; Corticosterone; Male; Maze Learning; Naltrexone; Piperazines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Receptors, Opioid, delta

It is well accepted that diabetes leads to learning and memory impairment in humans and rodents. Because central delta-opioid receptors have important roles in learning processes, we investigated the involvement of delta-opioid receptors in the spatial learning impairment in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice by the Morris water maze test. The escape latencies to the platform were significantly increased in diabetic mice without changes in the ability to swim. The delta1/delta2-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (1 mg/kg/day, s.c.) slightly, but not significantly, reduced the escape latencies in diabetic mice. The selective delta1-opioid receptor antagonist 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (0.3 and 1 mg/kg/day, s.c.), but not the selective delta2-opioid receptor antagonist naltriben (0.3 and 1 mg/kg/day, s.c.), significantly reduced the escape latencies in diabetic mice. These antagonists had no effect on the escape latencies in non-diabetic mice. The selective delta1-opioid receptor agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin (10 nmol/mouse/day, i.c.v.) significantly increased the escape latencies in both non-diabetic and diabetic mice. Based on these results, we suggest that the enhanced response to central delta1-opioid receptors in diabetic mice is involved, at least in part, in the spatial learning impairment in the Morris water maze test.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Enkephalins; Escape Reaction; Mice; Naltrexone; Reaction Time; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Space Perception

In the intestine, opioids produce antidiarrhoeal and constipating actions that are mediated by enteric neurones. Through interactions with opioid receptors (ORs) on submucosal neurones, opioids suppress active ion transport evoked by transmural electrical stimulation (TES) in mucosa-submucosa sheets from the porcine ileum. In this study, we examined the pharmacological characteristics of the previously described OR, which is sensitive to the delta1-OR antagonist 7-benzylidenenaltrexone and modulates neurogenic transepithelial ion transport in this tissue preparation. Increases in short-circuit current (Isc, a measure of active anion transport) evoked by TES in ileal mucosa-submucosa sheets were inhibited by opioid agonists possessing high selectivity for either delta- or micro-ORs including [d-Pen2,5]enkephalin (DPDPE), [d-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin II, and [d-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO). As determined by the Schild analysis, the actions of these agonists were competitively inhibited by 7-benzylidenenaltrexone. The nonequilibrium micro-OR antagonist beta-funaltrexamine inhibited the actions of DAMGO only at a high concentration (1 microm) but did not alter DPDPE or deltorphin II action. At concentrations up to 10 microm, the nonequilibrium delta-OR antagonist naltrindole 5'-isothiocyanate did not alter the actions of delta- or micro-OR agonists. Radioligand binding analyses of neuronal homogenates from the ileal submucosa revealed that the nonselective OR ligand [3H]diprenorphine bound to two populations of specific binding sites. One of these sites possessed binding characteristics similar to the delta-OR. In summary, neurogenic ion transport in the porcine intestine is modulated by an OR which shares pharmacological characteristics of both micro- and delta-ORs and may represent a novel receptor entity.

Topics: Amphibian Proteins; Animals; Anions; Benzamides; Benzylidene Compounds; Biological Transport, Active; Carrier Proteins; Diprenorphine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Stimulation; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Female; Gastrointestinal Motility; Ileum; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Naltrexone; Neurons, Afferent; Oligopeptides; Piperazines; Quinolines; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Swine; Tritium

The delta-opioid antagonist naltrindole has been shown to inhibit graft rejection in vivo and suppress allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in vitro, similarly to cyclosporin A. We investigated whether this action is mediated by delta-opioid receptors using both genetic and pharmacological tools. Naltrindole and two related compounds, 7-benzylidene-7-dehydronaltrexone and naltriben, inhibited MLR performed with lymphocytes from wild-type and delta-opioid receptor knockout mice, with comparable potency. Furthermore, these compounds suppressed the proliferation of spleen cells from triple delta/mu/kappa-opioid receptor-deficient animals as well. Finally, the highly delta-selective, but structurally distinct, antagonist N,N-dimethyl-Dmt-Tic-OH and the general opioid antagonist naltrexone were inactive in the MLR assay. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that the immunosuppressive activity of naltrindole and close derivatives is not mediated by any of the three cloned opioid receptors. Therefore, the postulated inhibitory activity of naltrindole in the graft rejection process is mediated by a target, which remains to be discovered.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Cell Division; Concanavalin A; Dipeptides; Immunosuppressive Agents; Interleukin-2; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; Lymphocytes; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, sigma; T-Lymphocytes; Tetrahydroisoquinolines

CD-1 mice were treated intravenously with streptozotocin, 200 mg/kg, and tested 2 weeks later or treated with 60 mg/kg and tested 3 days later. Both treatments changed the tail flick response of heroin and 6-monoacetylmorphine (6 MAM) given intracerebroventricularly from a mu- to delta-opioid receptor-mediated action as determined by differential effects of opioid receptor antagonists. The response to morphine remained mu. Heroin and 6 MAM responses involved delta1 (inhibited by 7-benzylidenenaltrexone) and delta2 (inhibited by naltriben) receptors, respectively. These delta-agonist actions did not synergize with the mu-agonist action of morphine in the diabetic mice. The expected synergism between the delta agonist, [D-Pen2-D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), and morphine was not obtained in diabetic mice. Thus, diabetes disrupted the purported mu/delta-coupled response. In nondiabetic CD-1 mice, heroin and 6 MAM produced a different mu-receptor response (not inhibited by naloxonazine) from that of morphine (inhibited by naloxonazine). Also, these mu actions, unlike that of morphine, did not synergize with DPDPE. The unique receptor actions and changes produced by streptozotocin suggest that extrinsic in addition to genetic factors influence the opioid receptor selectivity of heroin and 6 MAM.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Benzylidene Compounds; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalins; Heroin; Injections, Intraventricular; Male; Mice; Morphine; Morphine Derivatives; Naloxone; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Nociceptors; Pain; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Streptozocin; Time Factors

Physiological as well as hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP) is associated with opioid-mediated elevations in maternal nociceptive thresholds. Previous reports from this laboratory have demonstrated the involvement of spinal cord kappa opiate receptors in this phenomenon. The present study was undertaken in order to determine the exclusivity of this mediation. Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of the delta opiate receptor-selective antagonists naltrindole (NTI), 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) or naltriben (NTB) substantially reduces nociceptive thresholds of gestation (day 20) and HSP (day 19). Hyperalgesic actions of these compounds following i.t. administration are not observed in non-pregnant or vehicle-treated control animals. These data indicate that delta opiate receptor activity is a prerequisite for the manifestation of a substantial portion of gestational and HSP analgesia. In contrast, i.t. application of the micro-selective antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTAP) has no effect on nociceptive thresholds of gestational day 20, as was previously demonstrated for HSP-induced antinociception. Thus, the potent spinal mu analgesic system does not participate in gestational or HSP analgesia. During physiological pregnancy, less robust constituents of intrinsic opioid pain-attenuating systems in the spinal cord (delta and kappa opioid systems) are recruited to mediate the maternal antinociception of gestation. Furthermore, the ability of estrogen and progesterone to modulate spinal opioid antinociceptive activity emphasizes potential differences between men and women in their response to pain medication.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Female; Humans; Injections, Spinal; Male; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Pain; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Sensory Thresholds; Sex Characteristics; Spinal Cord; Time Factors

The effects of selective mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine were examined in rats that had been trained to discriminate between methamphetamine (0.4 mg/kg) and saline. Methamphetamine produced a dose-related increase in methamphetamine-appropriate responses in all of the rats. In generalization tests, neither morphine (a mu-opioid receptor agonist: 0.3-10 mg/kg) nor 3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexo]benzeneacetamide (U50,488H: a kappa-opioid receptor agonist: 1.0-8.0 mg/kg) generalized to the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine. A newly synthesized non-peptide selective delta-opioid receptor agonist 2-methyl-4aalpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12aalpha- octahydroquinolino(2,3,3,-g)isoquinoline (TAN-67: 32 mg/kg) partially generalized (70% methamphetamine-appropriate responses) to the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine. In combination tests, pretreatment with the mu- and kappa-opioid receptor antagonists, beta-funaltrexamine (9.0 mg/kg) and nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg), respectively, had little or no influence on the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine. In contrast, pretreatment with naltrindole (a non-selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist: 3.0 mg/kg) or naltriben (a selective delta2-opioid receptor antagonist: 1.0 mg/kg), but not with 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (a selective delta1-opioid receptor antagonist: 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg), significantly attenuated the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine. However, naltrindole (3.0 mg/kg) did not significantly attenuate the discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine at a higher training dose (1.0 mg/kg). Our findings may have some bearing on the relative importance of the role of delta-opioid (especially delta2-opioid) receptors in the discriminative stimulus properties of a low dose of methamphetamine.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Discrimination, Psychological; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Methamphetamine; Naltrexone; Quinolines; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Receptors, Opioid, delta

(E)-7-Benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) is a selective ligand for the putative delta 1 (delta 1) opioid receptor. To explore the feasibility of labeling delta 1 sites in vivo; we determined the cerebral distribution of radioactivity after systemic administration of [3H]BNTX to CD1 mice. Uptake was highest in striatum and lowest in cerebellum throughout the 4 hr time course. Specific radioligand binding, approximated as the difference in radioactivity concentrations between striatum and cerebellum, peaked at 0.32 percent injected dose/g at 30 min and comprised a modest 23% of total striatal radioactivity. For seven brain regions, radioactivity concentrations correlated with delta site densities known from prior in vitro studies (rS = 0.79, p = 0.03), and also with the uptake of N1'-([11C]methyl)naltrindole in vivo (rS = 0.78, p = 0.04) in mice. Specific binding in striatum, olfactory tubercles and cortical regions was saturable by BNTX, and was inhibited stereoselectively by the optical isomers of naloxone. Naltrindole and naltriben (NTB), delta antagonists, blocked 65-99% of [3H]BNTX specific binding at a dosage of 5.0 mumol/kg. Similar doses of the mu antagonist cyprodime, or the kappa agonist U50,488H, did not inhibit binding. Adjusted for the four-fold greater brain penetration of NTB relative to BNTX, dose-response studies suggested that delta 1 selective BNTX (ED50 = 1.51 mumol/kg) was 50% more potent than delta 2 selective NTB (ED50 = 0.56 mumol/kg) in blocking specific [3H]BNTX binding in striatum. In CXBK mice, a strain with functional delta 1 but not delta 2 receptors in antinociceptive assays, radioligand uptake and distribution proved similar to that in CD1 mice. In sum, [3H]BNTX labels murine delta opioid receptors in vivo with a low extent of specific binding. The data is consistent with, but not conclusive for, selective labeling of the delta 1 subtype.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Corpus Striatum; Male; Mice; Naltrexone; Radioligand Assay; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Tritium

Naltrindole (1) (NTI) is a highly potent and selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist. In an effort to understand the origin of the high potency, affinity, and selectivity of NTI, we have examined the conformational role of its indolic benzene moiety through the synthesis of related naltrexone derivatives 3-8, which contain the benzene moiety in different orientations and at different attachments in the molecule. One of these naltrexone derivatives, 5, whose 7-indanyl benzene moiety is orthogonal to ring C of the morphinan system, is a potent delta-opioid receptor antagonist in vitro and in vivo. Computer-assisted molecular overlay studies of the minimized structures (2-8) revealed the importance of the position of the benzene moiety for effective interaction with delta-opioid receptors. In compounds 2, 4, and 5, the aromatic ring falls in the same region of space as that of the indolic benzene moiety of NTI, and all of these ligands possessed significant activity at delta-opioid receptors. Analogues (3 and 6-8) which were shown to have relatively weak delta-opioid receptor antagonist potency have their aromatic groups located in a space that is different from that of the more potent analogues.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Electric Stimulation; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Male; Mice; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Molecular Structure; Muscle, Smooth; Naltrexone; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Structure-Activity Relationship; Vas Deferens

Spontaneous locomotor activity in diabetic mice was significantly greater than that in non-diabetic mice. Haloperidol and SCH23390, a selective dopamine D1-receptor antagonist, significantly reduced spontaneous locomotor activity in diabetic mice, but not in non-diabetic mice. Spontaneous locomotor activity in diabetic mice was also reduced by pretreatment with naltrindole, a selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist, and 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, a selective delta1-opioid receptor antagonist. The rate of dopamine turnover in the limbic forebrain in diabetic mice was significantly higher than that in non-diabetic mice. These findings suggest that the enhanced spontaneous locomotor activity in diabetic mice may result from increased dopamine neurotransmission, which might be due to an increase in dopamine release in mesolimbic dopamine systems. The increased dopamine neurotransmission in diabetic mice may also be due to the up-regulation of delta-opioid receptor-mediated functions.

Topics: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; Animals; Benzazepines; Benzylidene Compounds; Brain; Corpus Striatum; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Dopamine; Haloperidol; Homovanillic Acid; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Motor Activity; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Prosencephalon; Receptors, Dopamine D1; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Reference Values

The effects of selective delta-opioid receptor antagonists on the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine were examined in rats trained to discriminate between cocaine (10 mg/kg) and saline. Pretreatment with naltrindole (a non-selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist) and naltriben (a selective delta 2-opioid receptor antagonist), but not 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (a selective delta 1-opioid receptor antagonist), significantly attenuated the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine. Naltrindole and naltriben attenuated the discriminative stimulus properties of doses of cocaine lower than the training dose. Although the effects produced by the training dose were not changed, our finding may have some bearing on the relative importance of the role of delta-opioid (especially delta 2-opioid) receptors in the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Cocaine; Discrimination Learning; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Naltrexone; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Receptors, Opioid, delta

Effects of highly selective delta-opioid receptor antagonists on the morphine-induced place preference in ddY and mu 1-opioid receptor deficient CXBK mice were investigated. Pretreatment with naltrindole (NTI: a non-selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist), 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX: a selective delta 1-opioid receptor antagonist) or naltriben (NTB: a selective delta 2-opioid receptor antagonist) abolished the morphine-induced place preference in ddY mice in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the morphine-induced place preference may be mediated by both delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors. On the other hand, in mu 1-opioid receptor deficient CXBK mice, pretreatment with these selective delta-opioid receptor antagonists did not affect the morphine-induced place preference, although pretreatment with beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA: a selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist) significantly inhibited the morphine-induced place preference. [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE: a delta 1-opioid receptor agonist) and [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin (deltorphin II: a delta 2-opioid receptor agonist) induced a significant place preference in ddY mice, but not in CXBK mice. These results suggest that delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens that are related to the DPDPE- and deltorphin II-induced place preference may be dysfunctional and/or poor in CXBK mice. These findings also indicate that delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors may be involved in the modulation of the reinforcing effect of morphine.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Conditioning, Operant; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalins; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Morphine; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Oligopeptides; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu

The effects of delta-receptor antagonists on cocaine- and methamphetamine-induced place preferences were examined in rats. Cocaine- and methamphetamine-induced place preferences were significantly attenuated by naltrindole (NTI: a non-selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist). Furthermore, naltriben (NTB: a selective delta 2-opioid receptor antagonist), but not 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX: a selective delta 1-opioid receptor antagonist), attenuated the cocaine- and methamphetamine-induced place preferences. These results suggest that delta-opioid receptors, particularly delta 2-opioid receptors, may be involved in the reinforcing effects of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Cocaine; Conditioning, Psychological; Male; Methamphetamine; Naltrexone; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Reinforcement, Psychology

Graded caval occlusion in conscious rabbits caused a biphasic response. Phase I was characterized by a fall in conductance so that arterial pressure was maintained. When cardiac output had fallen to 69 +/- 2% of its baseline level, phase II supervened. During phase II, conductance rose abruptly and arterial pressure fell to a life-threatening level (< 40 mmHg). Centrally administered delta-opioid receptor antagonists prevented the occurrence of phase II. The relative order of potency was 7-benzylidene-naltrexone (BNTX, delta 1-selective) > N,N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH (ICI 174,864) > naltrindole (delta 2-selective). It is concluded that a central delta 1-opioid receptor is involved in the onset of the second decompensatory phase of the haemodynamic response to haemorrhage.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output; Enkephalin, Leucine; Hemodynamics; Hemorrhage; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Rabbits; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Shock

Previously an acute adaptation to hypoxia was induced by intermittent, severe hypoxia and this conditioned increase in survival time during subsequent hypoxia was blocked by naloxone. The current study further defined the opioid nature and the receptor type(s) involved in hypoxic adaptation by the use of (+)-naloxone (inactive isomer) and selective opioid antagonists. (+)-Naloxone failed to change significantly the survival times of hypoxic or sham conditioned mice during subsequent hypoxia. The selective opioid antagonists, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, naltrindole, beta-funaltrexamine and norbinaltorphimine were administered subcutaneously before hypoxic or sham conditioning. The delta-1 and delta-2 selective antagonists, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone and naltrindole respectively, blocked the hypoxic conditioning-induced increase in survival time. The lowest effective 7-benzylidenenaltrexone dose was 3000-fold lower than the lowest effective naltrindole dose indicating that the acute adaptation to hypoxia was predominantly sensitive to delta-1 blockade. Neither the mu antagonist, beta-funaltrexamine, nor the kappa antagonist, norbinaltorphimine, significantly changed survival time in sham or hypoxic conditioned mice. These results support a delta-1 receptor mediated mechanism of acute adaptation to hypoxia.

Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Hypoxia; Male; Mice; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Receptors, Opioid, delta

Opioid agonists selective for mu- or delta opioid receptors inhibit adenylyl cyclase in membranes from rat caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. The presence of subtypes of delta opioid receptors has been suggested. In both brain regions we have found that the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by DPDPE was more readily antagonized by 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX), than by naltriben. In contrast, the inhibitory effects of deltorphin-II and DSLET were more readily antagonized by naltriben, than by BNTX. Neither naltriben nor BNTX significantly antagonized the effect of a mu selective agonist. These results suggest that inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens is regulated by two forms of delta-opioid receptor with ligand selectivities similar to those two forms proposed to mediate analgesic effect.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Adenylyl Cyclases; Analgesics; Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Caudate Nucleus; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalins; Male; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Nucleus Accumbens; Oligopeptides; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, delta

The antinociception induced by beta-endorphin given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) has been previously demonstrated to be mediated by the release of Met-enkephalin and subsequent stimulation of delta receptors in the spinal cord for antinociception. The present study was designed to determine what type of opioid receptor, delta 1 or delta 2, in the spinal cord is involved in i.c.v. beta-endorphin-induced antinociception. Antinociception was assessed by the tail-flick test in male ICR mice. NTB (0.2-20 nmol) and NTI (0.22-2.2 nmol), selective delta 2 receptor antagonists, given intrathecally (i.t.) dose-dependently attenuated i.c.v. beta-endorphin-induced inhibition of the tail-flick response. On the other hand, BNTX (0.02-2.2 nmol), a selective delta 1 receptor antagonist, given i.t., did not block i.c.v. beta-endorphin-induced antinociception. The tail-flick inhibition induced by DAMGO, a mu receptor agonist, or U50,488H, a kappa receptor agonist, was not blocked by i.t. BNTX, NTB or NTI. It is concluded that delta 2 but not delta 1 receptors in the spinal cord are involved in i.c.v. beta-endorphin-induced antinociception.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; beta-Endorphin; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalins; Injections, Intraventricular; Injections, Spinal; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Nociceptors; Pain Measurement; Pyrrolidines; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Spinal Cord